The girls had not spent a night away from us since our move. We have a dog walker who will come over and take them out during the day, but we haven't been away overnight.
We interviewed several dog sitters "just in case" and found one that we really liked. We took the girls over to see the place (and for the sitter to see them) and the visit went well. The sleeping area was spacious and the two of them would be together. The grounds and yard are lovely, and the sitter has several dogs of her own. Lucy and Ellie got along well with the sitter's own dogs.
So we felt as comfortable as one can feel when leaving pets in someone else's care. When we picked them up, they were clearly happy and healthy, although they were just as clearly glad to be home.
The sitter sent us some pictures of the girls. She thought it funny that every time she got the camera out, Ellie immediately sat and posed while Lucy approached to find out how to work the camera. That is so typical.
We took the girls for a long run and they settled down, pretty exhausted. Lucy plopped down on the bed Ellie was using, but seemed determined to stay awake and watch the goings-on.
She tried so hard to stay alert, but actually fell asleep with her head up.
The next morning, the girls were really frisky. The weather much to their liking, (about 16 degrees) they had really enjoyed their walk and then romp in our woods. They sprinted up the stairs to greet me. Then, they heard my husband putting food in their dishes and remembered they hadn't eaten breakfast. So they scurried down the stairs again.
One of the most rewarding things about having dogs is the way they greet you when you come home. This applies whether you have been gone for 10 minutes or 10 hours. For the first day after we got home, the girls followed us from room to room more than usual, but things are back to normal now. They did well, and we truly enjoyed our vacation. But I can't tell you how often my husband and I mentioned the dogs while we were away.
Friday again, coming so quickly. It's only a week until Thanksgiving if you can believe that. It gets dark at 5:00 and we all look forward to December 22, when the daylight hours will increase in miniscule increments. It's the thought of it that counts. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. It may be the last quiet weekend you have until the holidays are over. Enjoy it and stay safe and happy.
19 comments:
Carolyn, your girls are GORGEOUS. I know you missed them when you were gone--but like you said, seeing them again and seeing their response when seeing you, is WONDERFUL. Dogs are such great pets since that unconditional love is there ALL of the TIME!!!!
Oh yes--we leave home and then spend our time away worrying about dog and cats. Never fails.
I do continue to immensely enjoy your Friday posts. I sit here reading and looking at the pics and saying--AWW, AWWW, AWWWWW.
We rarely go anywhere without the dogs. I think they would be fine, but *I* have separation anxiety. Whenever we have had to leave them, we usually drop them off with either my parents or my in-laws, depending on which direction we are traveling. Your girls look happy to be home!
Your golden girls are really beautifull. I know they are a very gentle family dog as well.
Beautiful pictures! I was wondering what your did with your girls when you went away. Our dog acts as if he has been punished when we leave him at a kennel when we go away. But we got him from an animal shelter and I think he had some bad early experiences we don't know about.
Don't you just love it when dogs drift to sleep while sitting....so cute......
I hate to leave my dog.....I worry all the time I am away.........she is part of the family.....
I am glad the golden girls were fine.....it is reassuring if you have to leave them again.....
Have a lovely weekend......
Sigh, I would like a dog of our own ... but D says not yet. So I'm happy to dog sit Topsy every now and again and her Mither knows she is in good hands. Her Mither sometimes worries that she won't want to come home ... she so likes it at our place.
Yea, Golden Fridays are back! They really look like they are glad to be home. I know what you mean about worrying the whole time you are gone..Glad you had a nice time and are back to your ole routine! YES, I think everyone is looking forward to the day light starting to increase again! I love fall but am sooo glad when spring gets here. 16 degrees brrr. that's cold!
How wonderful that you all found a place where you feel comfortable leaving your beautiful girls, but how lovely it is to have them home with you again. :c)
Every time I see your dogs - I can't get over how beautiful they are and how shiny their fur is. They are obviously well loved and taken care of! I'm on a waiting list for a Bernese Mountain dog puppy right now...can't wait til I have a doggy in the house again!
Awww. I know what it's like leaving the girls behind. We also have petsitters who visits three times a day and gives them plenty of play and attention. Now matter how much fun we are having, we think of C&B - esp. my husband who insists on finding a pet store to bring them home a toy.
Isn't it good to come home to happy dogs?
Mary
We have a Golden whose getting on in yrs. She sleeps a lot; doing so at my feet right now.
I love your photos! We want to move to NC, and I hope it is before my hubby retires! we are in MI now and dream of a home in the NC mtns. We lived in the CO Rockies for 10 yrs and it was wonderful, but I am partial to the south : )
Such pretty girls!
We wonder (worry) about our animals while we're away, too. A sitter you can feel good about is worth her weight in gold!
Know exactly what you mean about the dogs coming up over and over when you were "getting away from it all." 16 degrees? Oh my, and I thought I ws freezing....
They are so pretty. Love seeing pics of the girls.
Best thing about coming home from vacation is the look on our dogs faces.
P.S. We really hooted at your doggie-godmother comment! I have since checked with her Mither and there were no serious repercussions from the beans .. so we're still in the good books!
Topsy is 11 years 4 months and still has tons of pop in her step .... maybe it's those beans ... LOL
Those are the most beautiful dogs. How lucky you are!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. We're in the same area. :)
Betsy - You are so right. They love you no matter what.
Donna - Thanks. We've always had a dog, but this is our first time to have two of them. They are twice the fun.
Dog geek - We are so fortunate to have found our dog sitter. When we lived in WI, our daughter would often come over to house sit and dog sit.
Troutbirder - They really are family dogs, very gentle.
Ruth - The girls were happy to see us, but also ran back and forth between us and the woman who kept them.
Cheryl - Lucy is rather like a very tired toddler who falls asleep at the table. She doesn't want to give in.
Cicero - I can tell from your blog that Topsy is special. What a cutie she is. And I would never have guessed she is 11.
Tina - It's still unseasonably cold here and across the entire southeast.
Jayne - We are very lucky to have found Robin. The girls just love her.
Shelley - A Burnese Mountain sounds perfect for your cabin. Be sure to post plenty of pictures when you get him or her.
Mary - We are also so silly. I know that as soon as we drive off, the girls will be playing and romping. But we still talk about them often while we are away.
Sit a Spell - I saw (and very much liked) your blog. I noticed the picture of your graying Golden. Lovely.
Nina - Oh yes. A good dog sitter is so important. We wouldn't be able to leave them if we couldn't find one. As with a good babysitter, we are reluctant to tell anyone else about her.
Helen - We do get caught up in our pets, don't we? And it is STILL cold here, but the Golden Girls just love it.
Toni - Thanks. They take a fair amount of time, but we enjoy all the grooming chores.
Gold dog - I love your Goldens. And yes, the trip home is never complete until we pick them up.
Karen - Are you in Western NC as well? I love your blog and will be checking it regularly.
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